Peach tree named ‘Crimson Fire’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with firm, yellow flesh and good eating quality.   4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.   5. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Crimson Fire’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of peach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Rich Snow’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,812), ‘Super Zee’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,874) and our proprietary non-patented peach seedling selection ‘11ZP322’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an open pollinated seedling selection from our proprietary non-patented peach seedling ‘11ZP322’. The seed parent ‘11ZP322’ originated as an open pollinated seedling selection of ‘Rich Snow’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,812). A large number of these open pollinated seedlings were budded onto older established trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to enhance earlier fruit production. Under close and careful observation the present budded seedling exhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in 2013 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2013 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterized by having a good balance between acid and sugar with good flavor and eating quality. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented peach seed parent (11ZP322) the fruit of the new variety has yellow flesh compared to white and is approximately 31 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Super Zee’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,874) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and has a higher degree of red skin color.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety.

The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.

The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 4 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 4 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and             width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with             different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the             first growing season. Varies slightly with type and             fertility of soil, climatic conditions and cultural             practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 2 consecutive             years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self fertile.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit wood.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 350 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large, average circumference 51.1 cm at 30.5 cm above             ground on a 4 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 7/2 to 2.5Y 5/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 10.2 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 48 in a 25.8 square cm area.             Average length 3.2 mm. Average width 2.1 mm. Color varies             from 10YR 7/12 to 10YR 6/12.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 2.5R 3/8. Mature             growth varies from 7.5YR 3/4 to 10YR 4/2, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 138.9 mm. Average             width 45.4 mm.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 9.4 mm. Average width 1.9 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.         -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — large. Average length             1.6 mm. Average diameter 1.2 mm. Number varies from 3 to 5,             average number 4. Located primarily on the base of the leaf             blade and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from             2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8.         -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 8.2 mm. Edges —             pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 2.5GY 3/4 to 10Y 3/4. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 2.5GY 4/4. Midvein color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/8. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 20.9 mm. Average diameter 11.5             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Medium dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.6 mm. Average width 1.3 mm.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 7.5GY 8/6 to 7.5GY             6/12.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/10. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 2, 2015. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 12, 2015, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 21.3 mm. Average diameter             41.9 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             large. Average length 23.6 mm. Average diameter 19.4 mm.             Form — ovate. Margin — sinuate. Arrangement — overlapping.             Petal apex — ovate to rounded. Petal Base — truncated. Color             varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 6/12.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             large. Average length 7.6 mm. Average width 7.2 mm. Shape —             ovate. Margin — entire. Apex — rounded. Surface — upper             surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent. Color — upper             surface varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/6. Lower surface             varies from 5R 2/2 to 7.5R 3/2.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 48. Average filament             length 17.0 mm. On average, the stamens are below the height             of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/(white) to             5RP 9/2. Anther color varies from 7.5R 4/12 to 5Y 8.5/8.         -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 5Y             8/10.         -   Pistil.—Normally one. Average length 19.3 mm. Surface —             pubescent. Position of stigma an average of 0.9 mm below             anthers. Color varies from 10Y 8.5/4 to 2.5GY 8/4.         -   Fragrance.—Wanting.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 9/2 to 5RP 6/12.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.4 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/6.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—Apr. 29, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—May 7, 2015, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 60.5 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 67.1 mm. Average weight 159.0             grams, varies slightly with fertility of soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose to slightly elongated.         -   Suture.—Slightly lipped, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 7.1 mm. Average diameter 5.8 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 8.6 mm. Average diameter 3.8             mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 10Y 6/8 to 2.5GY 6/8. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Even to slightly earlier at apex.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial peach             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Good.         -   Flavor.—Good, a good balance between acid and sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 11.4°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y 7/8.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 36.1 mm. Average width 27.8 mm.             Average depth 13.0 mm. Color varies from 10YR 6/10 to 10YR             6/12. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y 7/6.             Overspread with 7.5R 4/10 to 10R 3/8.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 35.1 mm. Average width             26.8 mm. Average depth 23.9 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—Slight.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/8 to 5YR 5/8 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 15.6 mm. Average width 12.3 mm.             Average depth 7.1 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Partially viable, not all embryos fully             developed.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 8.5/2 to 7.5Y 9/2. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—Local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks at 38° to     42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or     appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,     foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to     climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the     variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety     grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,     Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica), substantially as illustrated and described. 